CampusMONDAY, MARCH 8, 2021 / VOLUME 148, ISSUE 2 Times SERVING THE UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER COMMUNITY SINCE 1873 / campustimes.org URAC Holds Protest During Mangelsdorf Event, Demands Action By Henry Litzky and Haven Worley PHOTO EDITOR and NEWS EDITOR

On Thursday, the UR Abolition Coalition (URAC) staged a protest at the in-person Casual Conversa- tions with President Mangelsdorf event. During the event, students repeated their de- mands for changes to the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to Mangelsdorf directly. This move follows last semester’s overnight occu- pation of the DPS parking lot where URAC protes- tors voiced their demands to University President Sarah Manglesdorf and DPS chief Mark Fischer, who promised further discussion. “[President Manglesdorf] had promised us that night [...] that she would be starting to actually have progress with this mental health task force to institute Daniel’s [Law] on campus, and ensure that cops [...] and campus police do not respond to mental health calls on this campus,” URAC orga- nizer and senior Antoinette Nguyen said. “Howev- er, there’s been no update regarding that.” The protest began at the steps of Rush Rhees Li- brary, where many of their actions have started in the past. At around 4:30 p.m., organizers went over the plans to the group of roughly 30 people around the steps. HENRY LITSKY / PHOTO EDITOR They departed the steps at 4:36 p.m. and walked son Commons and then Rush Rhees, armed with cially for admin,” URAC member and junior Katie down Eastman Quad chanting, “What do we want? hundreds of paper flyers that listed The Students’ Hardin said. “Bringing it to her instead of letting Care, not cops! When do we want it? Now!” Demands and included two QR codes for students her hold all the cards in this situation [...] was one They soon arrived at the Wilson Quad tent where to read more about the movement. of the best things we could have done.” President Mangelsdorf and various sophomores Sophomore Courtney Jung and first-year Mira “They did feel physically unsafe but that is some- were talking. Chaskes, who were in the library during that time, thing they can . That’s how students feel on this Protestors lined the fence around the tent while were “taken aback” and “caught off guard” when campus with DPS,” URAC member and junior Indy URAC demonstrator and sophomore Andre Tull- they saw the large group enter the library, but ap- Marring said. och read a prepared speech to the President. preciated their conduct. URAC plans to hold another virtual town hall “You and your administration behave as though “They definitely made their presence known, but sometime in the future, although the date is un- you actually support radical change for the Univer- without being too disruptive,” Chaskes said. known at the time of this article’s publication. sity, but all you have for us is empty promises and Jung, who was in the middle of completing a cal- Though the future of their demands is uncertain, fruitless committees,” Tulloch told the President. culus problem on a whiteboard, stopped her work what remains certain is that URAC is here to stay. “We, the students, are fighting hard to actually see to look into the movement briefly. “I like how they “I believe the president saw us and heard us. change. Last fall, we slept outside in the cold in front were being respectful and knowing it’s a library,” Whether or not she was listening, I don’t know. I of DPS in order to get the attention of those who Jung said. “They wanted to prove their message in didn’t feel like it,” Marring said. “But she definitely say they hear us and want to make the changes. Our a way that is not benign, but more subtle, so you feel saw and heard us. And we will meet with her later meeting with you has been thwarted by bureaucrat- more accepting [of] their message.” this month to see if she’s listening.” ic red tape time and time again. We demand that if URAC organizers expressed optimism after the To follow for more updates, make sure to check you really care about these issues and the students protest and stressed the importance of pressuring out URAC’s Instagram here. here, that you prioritize this meeting.” the administration. Worley is a member of Tulloch went on to read the URAC’s demands “It’s important that we made her feel uncomfort- the Class of 2023. before the demonstration moved on into Wilson able and not only her, but everybody that’s in her Litsky is a member of Commons. The large group, which had gained circle, because that feeling of being uncofortable is the Class of 2023. some sophomore supporters, swarmed into Wil- something that is kind of rare on this campus, espe- Mass resignation leaves SA with 11 senators By Corey Miller-Williams but it is opaque by default.” that, ‘Oh, everything is okay,’ or saying that they’re MANAGING EDITOR In a later interview with the Campus Times, Li- doing the best that they can, because they’re really ang referenced an incident last year when a stu- not. So if we have to be aggressive in our method Mass resignation leaves SA with 11 senators dent harassed a group of Tibetan students and of advocacy, then so be it. If we have to show up 12 senators have resigned from the Students’ As- monks meeting in Starbucks, which sparked a to protests, if we have to show up as a collective.” sociation (SA) over the past two weeks, citing their campus-wide debate on the autonomy of regions Referencing an hour and a half meeting plan- belief that SA’s bureaucracy makes it difficult to that China claims as part of their country. ning the resignation the night before, Ntshangase affect real change. “This is sort of what drove me to run for student called out his fellow senators for not being able Senior and former senator Amanda Liang spear- government, was just that whole incident, and how to come to a consensus on whether to resign en headed the mass resignation in a speech she de- everyone fucking did nothing. Didn’t say anything, masse, as well as for making little effort within livered during the senate meeting on Feb. 22. In didn’t have the balls to stand up for anything, or their roles and sometimes not showing up to sen- this speech, she described SA as a “gatekeeper” release a statement,” she said. ate meetings. that softens student activism until it becomes in- Senior and former senator Sakhile Ntshangase, “I think we’re lying to ourselves,” he said. “I don’t effective. who was previously an Opinions Editor for CT, think we’re honest to ourselves. So either we’re all “I refuse to continue participating and legitimis- said he agreed with Liang, and called on his fellow going to resign, which I’m totally down for, or we ing a bureaucracy that was built to fail,” she said. senators to become more unified and assertive in start impeaching some people in student govern- “This is a machine where not only are there scape- their dealings with the administration. ment that are not doing their job.” goats and snakes, but a systemic lack of responsi- “Accountability is not sucking up to admin,” he Sophomore and former senator Andre Tulloch bility. Policy-making may not be opaque by design said. “Accountability is not coming here and saying SEE RESIGNATION PAGE 2. INSIDE UR PROF: WANDAVISION: SPORTS GAMES ROCKY LEGAL TIMES’ 100 AMAZING (?) ARE BACK BATTLE THIS CT PAGE 4 COMMUNITY PAGE 9 CULTURE PAGE 12 SPORTS PAGE 12 SPORTS PAGE 2/campustimes.org MONDAY, MARCH 8, 2021 CAMPUS SA Senators Resign Eastman School of Music named Yamaha RESIGNATIONS FROM PAGE 1 Institution of Excellence Sophomore and former senator Andre Tulloch of topics, including audio and recording technolo- criticized SA for not supporting student activism, gy, music software utilization, and careers outside asking his fellow senators where they were for the of performance. Several Eastman faculty mem- UR Abolition Coalition DPS occupation. bers are also Yamaha artists: Professors Alexander “I was the only senator there. [...] And when I Kobrin (piano), Michael Burritt (percussion) and brought it to your attention, what did you do? What James Thompson (trumpet). did you do? None of you did nothing. I told you, “Eastman has, throughout its history, stood apart Mangelsdorf came out there. Dean Fisher came out from its peers by placing equal emphasis on artist- there, had these conversations, and none of y’all did ry, scholarship, and leadership,” Joan and Martin shit.” Messinger Dean Jamal J. Rossi said. “Eastman First-year senator Blaine Dillingham suggested graduates are positioned not only to assume the senators instead organize rallies with specific de- highest level music performance and scholarly mands and consistently find and email administra- positions across the world, but to have the dual tors to pressure them into action instead of resigning. Sarah Woodams/Contributing Photographer ability to be leaders in their respective areas of ex- Liang countered that while that would be effective, By Sanghamitra Subba pertise, as well as of creative arts organizations SA is unable to undertake that kind of direct action, NEWS EDITOR and businesses.” because it would violate various policies. Eastman has been at the forefront of the music Sophomore and former senator Rusama Haque ex- UR’s Eastman School of Music has been named a Yamaha Institution of Excellence alongside 9 curriculum and innovation of its program since pressed concern for what comes after the mass res- it was established in 1921. The Arts Leadership ignation. “I know people will rush here when they other colleges and universities in an inaugural an- nual award. The schools have been recognized as Program — which provides career and profession- know there’s going to be drama,” she said, “but when al education for music students — and the Master there needs to be change, everybody disappears.” institutions with extraordinary commitment to in- novating the study of music, and have been award- of Arts in Music Leadership — a 14-month degree She also asked if SA would replace the resigned program that prepares music students to lead tra- senators through a “popularity contest,” and asked ed for their challenging, enriching, and diverse curriculums. ditional and non-traditional music programs — are why other comparable positions on campus (such as a testament to how the University is committed to Students Association Appropriations Committee and ‘The schools have been recognized as providing students with not only musical skills but an RA) require applications. managerial and leadership skills to be successful Both she and Liang, along with several other for- institutions with extraordinary commit- ment to innovating the study of music.’ in their respective fields. Both programs are sup- mer senators, criticized the administration for not ported by the Yamaha Graduate Fellow Program. listening to SA and for using them as free labor to do Yamaha has sponsored undergraduate and gradu- their jobs for them. “Each Institution of Excellence was selected ate students for the Eastman Leadership Academy “Last week, in our conversation with the deans, (ELA) through the Yamaha Graduate Fellows pro- I asked, ‘Why is sexual harassment [policies] not for its extraordinary effort to prepare and equip modern music students in unique and meaning- gram since 2017. clearly pronounced, not clearly talked about?’” “Taking part in the ELA program was such a Haque said. “And they said, ‘Oh, we didn’t think ful ways,” senior director of Institutional Sales at Yamaha Dan Rodowicz said. “This program unique experience. I was able to learn all about about it.’” the ins and outs of arts administration, understand- “Every single year we have a protest where we’re demonstrates our commitment to finding, celebrat- ing, and collaborating with institutions who share ing how vital logistics can be when operating per- like, ‘We don’t want Public Safety to have guns,’” forming arts institutions,” UR senior Christopher Liang said, later adding, “Why has the power contin- our vision for music’s crucial role in society.” As a Yamaha Institution of Excellence, Eastman Corona said. “This program benefited me as I was ued to expand? Because the bureaucracy continues to able to realize the significance of the operational move like a leviathan and it does not stop.” has access to Yamaha’s roster of guest presenters with various performance backgrounds, as well aspects behind musical organizations and how vi- Miller-Williams is a member of tal administration is to enable musicians to be the the Class of 2023. as the opportunity to collaborate with Yamaha on projects of mutual interest and provide feedback on best they can be.” Subba is a member of TO READ THE REST, the needs of higher music education. In previous CLICK HERE years, Yamaha had occasionally provided guests the Class of 2024. for Eastman classes and workshops on a variety Rochester Marriage Pact Claims to Find YoUR Perfect Match By Ashely Yoon Behind the scenes of the Rochester Marriage Pact was questions were different,” she said. “I think asking about NEWS EDITOR a team of four UR and two Stanford students who used an values is important, but there are a lot of other things that algorithm to match students with their potential partners. I would like in a partner besides just having our values “The reason we brought [the Marriage Pact] to UR match.” in the first place was so that we could participate in it,” On the other hand, first-year Ro Kamala was shocked the creators of the Rochester Marriage Pact said. “We when she first heard about the pact. She soon grew to be primarily chose [to do the Marriage Pact] now simply disappointed, however. because COVID[-19] has made social interaction and “I thought [the Marriage Pact] was a joke of some sort meeting new people so much harder.” [and I] only believed it was official when they started sending school-wide emails,” she said. “[Now] I feel “The reason we brought the Marriage lowkey disappointed. I think my expectations were super Pact to UR in the first place was so that high. I think most people had high expectations.” we could participate in it.” ‘The questions were “based on psy- chological and sociological research” Julia Kirsch/Contributing Photographer Another reason was the popularity of the idea seen and the things that were important when in other schools such as Stanford and Duke University. “Wanna get penetrated by something other than “Because the concept was such a hit at Stanford and “predicting the long-term success of a a COVID swab?” “Find someone more stable than turned into this quirky school tradition, we’re now trying relationship.”’ URConnected.” “Stop finding faculty on Grindr — to bring this experience to UR,” the creators wrote to the take the marriage pact.” Since Feb. 24, the Rochester Campus Times. The team hopes that the Marriage Pact will give stu- Marriage Pact has employed everything from sex jokes According to the UR team, the questions were “based dents a backup plan for the future. to puns through Instagram posts and emails in an effort on psychological and sociological research” and the “We hope to provide a fun activity that connects ev- to reach single students. things that were important when “predicting the long- eryone while our social lives are still limited due to The Rochester Marriage Pact is a college-specific term success of a relationship.” Cultural differences were COVID[-19],” the creators said. “As students ourselves, matchmaking service — an idea that originated from a also included in the form’s questions as they could either we wanted to use this opportunity to bring the school to- market design class project at Stanford, according to the be a huge barrier or a compatible feature for a long-term gether and give people the opportunity to socialize.” creators. To participate, students had to fill out a 50-ques- relationship. To learn more about the Marriage Pact, be sure to tion form which was open to the entire UR student body. Students had mixed feelings about the Marriage Pact. check out their Medium profile here. After several days of hype, the matches were finally First-year Emily Han said she was initially interested News Editor Haven Worley contributed to the released, and participating students received an email in the Marriage Pact as she thought it was “a cool idea,” reporting for this article. containing the name and email of their match, as well though she wishes the questions were different. Yoon is a member of as a few questions both halves of the match answered “I still think it’s a good idea since it’s tailored to- the Class of 2023. similarly. wards college kids in the same school [...] but I wish the MONDAY, MARCH 8, 2021 / CAMPUS campustimes.org / PAGE 3 Intimidating Yellowjackets and Copyright Legality: The Surprising History of UR’s Latest Mascot By Melanie Earle FEATURES EDITOR

In 2015, the UR Baja Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) team wanted to make mer- chandise using an original design they creat- ed of Rocky — a design which can only truly be described accurately as “badass”. But once UR found out about “Ricky the Honeybee,” the Baja team was told not to use it at all. Why? Because the orientation of Rocky is actually re- ally important. In 2008, UR decided to change the school’s mascot from URBee to what we know today as Rocky. At least 3,400 members of the UR com- munity agreed that URBee was too cute for UR Athletics, and the new mascot needed to be “in- timidating” and have an edge. URBee gave the following parting statement: “I didn’t have the name. I didn’t have the looks. I didn’t even have the fingers for downs and quar- ters. But I had heart, and I wore it on my sleeve each and every day. I like to think that counts for something.” That same year, our beloved Rocky made their stunning debut during a basketball game. But Rocky has a doppleganger: Meet Buzz, Georgia Institute of Technology’s mascot, who debuted in 1980. Buzz is also a yellowjacket. Buzz is also a very intimidating yellowjacket. To JANE PRITCHARD /ILLUSTRATIONS EDITOR some, Buzz may look very similar to UR’s own and shut it down. Rocky and Buzz do have their differences as intimidating yellowjacket, Rocky. In years prior, Georgia Tech had requested intimidating yellowjackets, but it can be difficult Rocky’s design is based heavily on UR’s own that the Damascus High School change their to differentiate which yellowjackets UR depart- history with the insects. The yellowjacket mas- mascot to not be so similar to Buzz, and a licens- ments, clubs, and organizations can use. The UR cot was first introduced in the 1920s and went ing agreement was signed. The agreement did Identity guide has been made to help navigate through several variations until landing at the not include a painting of the hornet on the water the UR yellowjacket identity and mascot world current iteration. tower, which Georgia Tech was quick to point of intimidating yellowjackets. Georgia Institute of Technology was in- out. The UR Baja SAE team is not the only group to volved in the 2008 redesign process of Rocky, In 1988, Georgia Tech filed a copyright in- accidentally venture into the confusion of what but the details of UR and Georgia Institute of fringement suit against a minor league baseball Rocky imagery can be used. When the Campus Technology’s agreement are not publically avail- team in Salt Lake City called the Buzz, and who Times was creating our newspaper themed able. There is an agreement between the schools also had an intimidating yellowjacket as their Rocky design, we ran into the cut and paste that allows the bees to coexist. mascot. The Salt Lake City baseball team lost the game of intimidating yellowjackets, too. If you Comparing the two, there are some clear dis- lawsuit, and had to pay Georgia Tech $600,000 were to go to the bottom floor of Meliora Hall at tinctions. The orientation of Rocky and Buzz is dollars. the moment, you might find this sign: different. Rocky will almost always be forward The team’s lawyer, Gregory D. Phillips, com- Look a little off? That’s actually Buzz That facing, and must always have the “R” on it’s mented on the suit to the Chronicle of Higher yellowjacket goes against the UR Identity chest. UR’s official guidelines on custom Rocky Education. Guidelines, and is not Rocky. designs is to treat Rocky like a paper doll ac- “Georgia Tech might think their mascot is fa- Rocky’s image has been carefully curated to cording to the UR Identity Guide. mous, [but] no one here has ever heard of them,” not bug the other intimidating yellowjackets, Georgia Tech has been in mascot rumbles he said. “No one ever showed up at a game out which is why UR’s so protective of the way it in the past. In 2017, the town of Damascus in here expecting to see a Georgia Tech game, and looks. Maryland wanted to paint their high school mas- no one ever showed up out there looking to go to What URBee lacked in intimidation in 2008, cot, the Swarmin’ Hornets, on their water tow- a Salt Lake Buzz game.” he at least made up for in heart and copyright er to celebrate the town’s high school football The non-public agreement between UR legality. team. The town raised the money to get their and Georgia Institute of Technology seems to Earle is a member of own intimidating hornet on the water tower, have prevented a “bumble” between the two the Class of 2023. until Georgia Institute of Technology stepped in universities.

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think? [email protected] MONDAY, MARCH 8, 2021 campustimes.org /PAGE 4 COMMUNITY UR Professor Ranga Dias Named in Top 100 Influential People By Sanghamitra Subba condensed matter and physics of particles for more NEWS EDITOR than 45 years. “Hydrogen is the backbone, the main driving force behind room-temperature superconductivity,” When Ranga Dias, assistant professor of Dias said. “If you just take pure hydrogen, you have Mechanical Engineering and Physics and to go up to really high pressures like around 500 Astronomy, found out that he had been dubbed one giga pascal, [which is a] huge amount of pressure.” of the most 100 influential people in the world, he The discovery of metallic hydrogen by compress- said he was surprised. Dias had been selected for ing pure hydrogen with a diamond anvil cell was Time Magazine’s 2021 TIME100 Next list. incredibly helpful. “My wife thought that it was a mistake,” Dias said. Finding the ambient pressure of superconduc- Dias and his team at the University have been tivity, which is around 270-350 kelvin and around at the forefront of advancing research on super- 0-10 GPa, is the “holy grail of physics,” according conductors (materials that can transmit energy to Dias. without resistance). In October 2020, his team set “The challenge is to make it for practical use at at- Coutesy of J. Adam Fenster the record by creating the world’s first room-tem- mospheric pressure,” Dias said. “We need to come A MAGNET FLOATING DUE TO THE MEISSNER EFFECT. perature superconductor. The team combined up with a way to make [superconductors] work at hydrogen with carbon and sulfur to synthesize a atmospheric pressure and ambient conditions by professor teach them about a topic that he has been chemical called carbonaceous sulfur hydride in a bringing it from 2.6 million atmospheric pressure at the forefront of. It adds an exciting element to diamond anvil cell (a device that can create extreme to room pressure.” class discussions. pressures.) In addition to the strict environmental condi- Undergraduate students are also a big part of his At about 58 degrees Fahrenheit and 267 ± 10 tions needed, superconductors are far too expen- research, and Dias said he hopes to have them back gigapascals (an incredibly high pressure), the car- sive to hold any commercial value. To help lower in his lab once pandemic protocol allows for more bonaceous sulfur hydride exhibited supercon- the cost of superconductors, and to create an eco- people in those spaces. ductivity. Previously, superconductors needed in- nomically scalable superconductor, Dias co-found- “I always tend to hire undergraduate students to credibly cold temperatures, but Dias and his team ed Unearthly Materials, a start-up company with my lab,” Dias said. “It doesn’t matter if you don’t discovered a way to bring up the temperature by Ashkan Salamat, a professor at the University know much about superconductors but they are al- increasing the pressure. of Nevada, who Dias met as a postdoc fellow at ways welcome to come watch and participate in the The ultimate goal of work like this is to have su- Harvard. research [...] If I can make even one student curi- perconductors work at atmospheric pressure and When Dias, Salamat and their team were getting ous [about superconductors], then I feel really good temperature, which would let them theoretically closer to achieving room-temperature supercon- about it.” power things like hoverboards and levitating trains. ductivity, they were very skeptical about it at first. Dias was first introduced to physics and astron- Currently, the main challenge is the incredibly lim- “I didn’t believe it at first,” Dias said. “We decid- omy at the age of seven when he joined an astron- ited theoretical framework to guide such research. ed to do more experiments and not get our hopes omy club in his home country of Sri Lanka, where Superconductors have been around since the too high because we wanted to make sure that what he was able to meet other people with a passion for beginning of the 20th century and scientists have we were seeing was actually real.” It was only after the subject. He pointed to his parents, who gave been working for years to bring them up to room repeated experiments that Dias had what he calls a him freedom and support to explore his curiosities. temperature. In the last five years, Dias and his “eureka moment.” Now, Dias wants to give other young people a simi- team have advanced that research significantly. “It was a strange feeling because while we were lar opportunity at his lab. In 2017, Dias was part of a breakthrough on get- excited, we were also surprised,” Dias said. “There And while Dias is very honored to be a part of the ting pure hydrogen to a metallic state, a vital part was a lot of pause [in the lab] because it was hap- TIME100 Next list, his work is just beginning. of achieving room-temperature superconductors. pening after all those years of work.” “I hope to see hoverboards and magnetic levitat- The research was conducted with Professor Isaac Dias, who teaches physics at UR, loves that he ing trains within my lifetime,” Dias said. Silvera, Thomas D. Cabot Professor of the Natural can use his own research to explain superconduc- Subba is a member of Sciences, when Dias was a postdoctoral fellow at tivity and thermodynamics in class. His students the Class of 2024. Harvard University. Silvera has been researching also enjoy having the personal aspect of having a An Interview with UR alum and Mayoral Candidate Malik Evans By Micah Greenberg them”. SPECIAL PROJECTS For all four years, Evans served on the Students’ Association Appropriations Committee, and spent two years as SA Treasurer. Since graduating, Evans For months, protestors have been calling for has worked in the banking industry, in addition to Mayor Lovely Warren to be replaced, and Rochester his government positions. City Council Member and UR alum Malik Evans ’02 Soon after graduating, Evans ran for the Rochester is her main competitor. . School Board, and at 23 years old he became the Evans grew up in Rochester, attending Wilson youngest-ever person elected to the group. He later Magnet High School. At a young age, he became in- went on to serve as its president. He will be running volved in community programs and helped found for Mayor in the upcoming June election. the City-County Youth Council, now called the Evans encouraged students to get involved in pol- Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council. In talking about his itics. “I’m turned off by politics, too, but everything campaign, Evans said that youth development is the is politics and politics is everything,” he said. “When under-discussed issue he is most interested in. someone says they don’t want to be involved in pol- Coutesy of Malik Evans As a UR student, Evans stayed involved in the itics, I’m like ‘what are you talking about?’ [...] your Rochester community. He was a part of the Mayor’s Frederick Douglass Institute, and moving the loca- birth certificate is signed by probably a registrar that Council on Race and Ethnicity and the Mayor’s en- tion of the Office of Minority Student Affairs out of was appointed by a politician, and then the person tertainment task force. the basement. who signs your death certificate was probably ap- Evans did not originally plan to go to UR. He want- “I got to [UR] and realized they didn’t celebrate pointed by a politician.” Evans emphasized that ed to live in Washington, D.C. and was interested in Martin Luther King Day. I went crazy and didn’t many relevant public issues like taxes, roads, street American University’s journalism program. “If you like that so [...] we started the Martin Luther King lights, and schools, are all determined by politics. would have told me that I was going to [UR] when Commemorative Address.” At the inaugural ad- “Politics doesn’t mean you have to run for office.” I was in tenth grade, I would have laughed at you”, dress, Evans introduced NAACP Chairman Julian Evans said. “Think about it from the broader context he said. But the University’s Political Science de- Bond, the first speaker for the annual event. He was to say: ‘what can I do to make a difference?’ And that partment, coupled with a good financial aid offer, also involved in the Minority Student Affairs Board, difference may be working for a nonprofit on crimi- enticed him to stay in the city.Once he got to UR, the Black Students’ Union, and the Rochester Men’s nal justice reform, or working on a community de- Evans was highly involved in campus organizations Forum, which he co-founded. velopment financial institution.” At the very least, and activism. He helped found the College Diversity Recently, student activists, such as those who cre- Evans stressed, students need to be sure to vote. Roundtable, which partially resulted from protests ated petitions this past summer, talked about the Evans said that his time at the University was im- in 1999 that Evans participated in. University’s role in the community, especially in portant to him in many ways beyond the classroom. He recalled a situation when he was a first-year terms of gentrification. “I think [UR] is a great re- “Yeah, I got a great education at the [UR], but I got in which a Public Safety officer called the Rochester source for our community, but they have to make even a greater education because there are people Police Department on students of color despite them sure they’re embedded in the community,” Evans now that are working on my campaign that were showing their identification cards. Though the situ- said. “They’re one of the top employers, so they play students with me [...] I’ve got lifelong friends from ation was difficult, it led to positive change, includ- a very important role in Rochester. But they have [UR].” ing increased efforts to hire more faculty of color, to make sure that they aren’t displacing longtime Greenberg is a member of admit more students of color, the reactivation of the residents that were there, so it’s a balancing act for the Class of 2021. MONDAY, MARCH 8, 2021 campustimes.org / PAGE 5 OPINIONS EDITORIAL OBSERVER EDITORIAL BOARD Biden isn’t Sleepy: He’s We Can’t Cover Campus Without the Community Complicit By James Gunn PRESENTATIONS CHIEF

JANE PRITCHARD/ILLUSTRATIONS EDITOR “Sleepy Joe Biden” is a derisive phrase to di- minish Biden’s reputation, to call him old, slow, and boring. Boring isn’t necessarily bad, politi- cally, but only if he’s boring for the right reasons. So far, the relative quiet of his administration compared to the last one isn’t very reassuring. COURTESY OF @BANKRUPTPHOTOGRAPHER Often, when people don’t care about politics, Junior Nan Xie prepares to take off at the indoor track at the Goergen Athletic Center. it’s because they don’t have to. That’s a habit Sports are back! On Feb. 18, UR Women’s Basketball None of us have the time or energy to write an article that too many Americans are comfortable with. played the first game since the University (and world) every single week. In every section, but especially in The late former prime minister of Canada Pierre shut down. Slowly but surely, athletics teams are get- sports, we need writers who contribute as regularly or Trudeau once said, “Living next to [America] is ting back into the swing of intercollegiate competition. irregularly as their schedule allows. You, the University in some ways like sleeping with an elephant. No You may have noticed that the Campus Times sports community, are the backbone of this paper. 100 peo- matter how friendly and even-tempered is the section has been pretty silent lately. Our Sports Editor ple who write a single article every semester are just beast, if I can call it that, one is affected by every position has been sitting vacant since the end of October. as important as the dozen who write one every week. twitch and grunt.” Sports has always been a challenging pair of shoes to fill — This paper is only as good as its contributors. We Americans don’t have to pay attention, and we few students on the paper have professed an enjoyment for want to be able to offer complete and detailed cov- Canadians are privileged in that, as long-time al- both writing and athletics. But since March 11 of last year, erage of events on campus, and the return of sports is lies, we only have to feel the twitches. there haven’t been any games, meets, or competitions. definitely eventful. And we want to hear all about the We had a little taste of that during the trade We’re not entirely off the hook: Even with- stuff that interests you — whatever cool new thing spats between the Canadian and U.S. govern- out games, there have been plenty of stories about is happening at UR, we’d love to hear your take on it. ments over the past few years. While the broad- student athletes, practice restarting, and chang- Do you have a friend who’s making music or paint- er economic consequences are hard to grasp at es to the GAC that we should have covered. ing? Is your professor doing fascinating research? Are a small scale, these little disputes over prestige, We love to joke that people don’t really pay at- you part of a club that is changing the city for the better? machismo, and saving face have a punishing im- tention to our sports teams. For student athletes and The more writers willing to cover whatever weird, zany pact on day to day life. Something as simple as alumni, though, sports are a pretty big deal. CT would stuff is going on, the more complete our coverage can be. Pokemon cards have a 10% tariff in Canada in re- love to address this part of our community, so we Ultimately, this is a student newspaper, which means we sponse to American tariffs on Canadian steel and need more writers. We have about 25 core members, rely on student writers to fill our pages. We’re interested aluminum. but we rely heavily on contributing and staff writers. in what you have to say, and we have a variety of sections Other nations feel more than a twitch. Yemen We’re students first — ones with midterms, and under which your writing can be published, even beyond faces a largely man-made famine at the scale of homework, and papers, and extracurricular activities. sports. So reach out to us if you’d like to get involved! the infamous Ethiopian famine of the ’80s. Biden announced a lukewarm reduction in sales of arms to regrettable ally Saudi Arabia and a limit This editorial is published with the consent of a majority of the Editorial Board: Hailie Higgins (Editor-in-Chief), Ethan Busch (Publisher), Lucy Farnham (Opinions Editor), Micah Greenberg (Special Projects), Corey Miller-Williams (Managing Editor) and Olivia Alger to activity in Yemen. Of course, the U.S. will still (Managing Editor). The Editor-in-Chief and the Editorial Board make themselves available to the UR community’s ideas and concerns. provide “relevant” arms to support “defensive” Email [email protected]. Saudi operations. At the border, Biden is already pushing back plans for immigration reform. He’s asked for pa- Campus Times tience, but the 70,000 migrants per month for SERVING THE UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER COMMUNITY SINCE 1873 the last four months don’t have time to wait. At least Biden decided to no longer expel children, Wilson Commons 103A although in response to the overflow of minors in University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627 Office: (585) 275-5942 / Fax: (585) 273-5303 custody the government has started putting them campustimes.org / [email protected] in shelters that aren’t even state-licensed. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF HAILIE HIGGINS So Sleepy Joe hasn’t changed all that much. And that’s concerning, because there’s a lot MANAGING EDITOR COREY MILLER-WILLIAMS MANAGING EDITOR OLIVIA ALGER worth changing. But people don’t care about the NEWS EDITORS ASHLEY YOON HUMOR EDITORS BENJAMIN SCHIFFMAN necessary, quiet fixes to bureaucracy and regula- HAVEN WORLEY ALYSSA KOH tion that prop up so much of the country. People SANGHAMITRA SUBBA ILLUSTRATIONS EDITORS BRIDGET TOKIWA don’t notice when those fixes are dismantled ei- FEATURES EDITORS MICHELLE SHUAI JANE PRITCHARD ther, like the removal of protection for 35 million MELANIE EARLE PHOTO EDITOR HENRY LITSKY acres of land during the Trump administration. OPINIONS EDITOR LUCY FARNHAM VIDEO CHIEFS HENRY LITSKY In his campaign, Biden himself said that when CULTURE EDITORS JACOB HANLEY ZEKE BRECHER he was elected, “nothing would fundamentally WILL LEVE SOCIAL MEDIA EDITORS NADINE ELDALLAL change.” That’s not boring. That’s being content PRESENTATIONS CHIEF JAMES GUNN MATTIE MARTIN-OLENSKI and complicit. Unfortunately, that leaves us in a WEBMASTER RICHARD AKOMEA MEGAN BROWNE status quo that makes it easy to forget the real ef- SPECIAL PROJECTS MICAH GREENBERG ENGAGEMENT CHIEF KEVIN TAMARIMA-SALINAS fects of obscure policy. I want nothing more than COPY CHIEF CAROLYN RICHTER for President Biden’s administration to be pleas- antly boring. It’s certainly better than a president PUBLISHER ETHAN BUSCH BUSINESS MANAGER YUEN NG DU ranting on Twitter. But so far, the only reason to Full responsibility for material appearing in this publication rests with the Editor-in-Chief. Opinions expressed in columns, letters, op-eds, or comics are not be bored with Biden is if you don’t have to care necessarily the views of the editors or the University of Rochester. Campus Times is printed monthly throughout the academic year, except around and during University holidays. All issues are free. Campus Times is published online at www.campustimes.org, and is updated Monday each week. Campus about everything that’s still going wrong. Times is SA funded. All materials herein are copyright © 2021 by Campus Times. Gunn is a member of It is our policy to correct all erroneous information as quickly as possible. If you believe you have a correction, please email editor@ the Class of 2021. campustimes.org. MONDAY, MARCH 8, 2021 / OPINIONS campustimes.org / PAGE 6 MUSKAAN’S MUSINGS The Marriage Pact And Modern Loneliness: It’s Too Good To Be True By Muskaan Vasandani with a good match! But what we really need to be COLUMNIST asking ourselves is who gets to keep all of this per- sonal information about us? With a questionnaire he COVID-19 pandemic changed a lot for that goes into excruciating detail about everything everyone. As going out on Friday nights from religious beliefs to kinks and fetishes, do we has morphed into staying in with Netflix really want an anonymous person at the Marriage (andT no chill), opportunities to socialize in person Pact to have all of this information? Probably not. are slim, if not impossible. Let’s face it: Most of This survey has made its appearance at numerous us are so used to staying in at this point, we find other schools, too, including Duke, Yale, Cornell, socializing and going out to be herculean tasks. Tufts, and Columbia. Even after numerous attempts This change has caused psychologists to worry that to contact the organization, which is registered in we’re being hit by not just the global pandemic, but Delaware and doing business in California, no one a loneliness pandemic as well. has a definitive answer as to how the company is A recent Harvard study suggests that feelings of protecting this sensitive data. social isolation are on the rise, with older teens and JANE PRITCHARD / ILLUSTRATIONS EDITOR So, here’s the million dollar question: Do we real- younger adults hit the hardest. College students are ly have to risk all of our personal data for the prom- normally at the age that’s supposed to be the “prime from the year before. Loneliness makes us vulnera- ise of a perfect on-campus companion? Definitely of their lives.” They’re biologically programmed to ble, and we cling to any glimmer of hope that com- not, and there are much better ways to make new be at their highest social capacity at this age, and panionship may be possible. friends in these times of social distancing. Join a when such a group of individuals has no choice but This is where the Marriage Pact comes in. new club — you may meet someone you like at a to quarantine for the better part of a year, this takes “50 questions. 10 minutes,” and the promise of GIM! Be more interactive in breakout rooms. They a toll on their mental health. This is completely nor- getting you your best possible match. aren’t that bad. And if your most pressing concern mal, even if you identify as an introvert. Feeling It sounds extremely enticing — especially to a is finding a date, I’d suggest that Tinder is a much lonely is warranted, and a sadly common occur- college student sitting all alone in their dorm on a better option than whatever the Marriage Pact actu- rence in today’s world. Friday night. So what’s the harm? Isn’t it just a sim- ally is. Just because you’re lonely and single doesn’t What’s important to keep in mind though, is that ple questionnaire? Isn’t it just a more sophisticated mean you deserve to be targeted by the Marriage lonely people are easy to prey on. Americans lost Tinder? Pact. You definitely deserve much better! $201 million to online romance scams in 2019, ac- Well, it probably isn’t all that bad — and I’m sure Vasandani is a member of cording to CNN — an almost 40 percent increase the Marriage Pact even connected many students the Class of 2023. The Toxicity of TikTok Beauty Trends

By Ruchita Makhun CONTRIBUTING WRITER perfect TikTok face. The newfound impulse to according to the sizes of their noses, foreheads, or constantly compare each other intrudes our minds lips. They diminish a person to nothing more than as a parasitic whisper of insecurity, taking a huge their looks. People are whole individuals with far Mirror, mirror on the wall. Who’s the pret- toll on our mental health. more interesting qualities than their forehead size. tiest of them all?” Everyone is. Including Maybe I’m just really stubborn, but I don’t un- It’s who you are and what you do that matters. you. No matter what TikTok’s beauty trends derstand why I should let anyone else dictate how It’s the way your eyes light up when talking about want“ you to believe. to feel about my body. your favorite book or the way you take care of The popular video-sharing platform, with over Why is the definition of beauty restricted to only your sad friend that makes you beautiful. As we one billion users, needs no introduction. Its huge full lips, small pointy noses, high cheekbones, age and grow wrinkles, it’s the things we did that library of short clips ranges from dancing to aware- etc.? Media has been sustaining Western beauty we’ll be remembered for, not what we looked like ness campaigns to DIY hacks. But what happens ideals for generations and has failed to consider 20 years ago. Trust me, no one’s actually counting when anyone in the world can create anything and that different cultures and countries have their own and committing to memory how many teeth are in post it on a widespread platform? Not all of the beauty standards. What is considered a flaw in one your smile. content will be good for you. TikTok has a dark country or culture is pretty in another. You might So, next time such toxic comparisons pop up on side: its toxic beauty trends. not believe it, but I find dark circles (the proof your fyp, I want you to pause and ask yourself if An air of self-deprecating humor pervades the you worked hard until late at night) and scars (the it’s helpful to watch, or if you want to spread the platform. People with large followings keep this proof that you’ve survived battles) beautiful. And message to others. If not, click on that “not in- population entertained by creating more and more I’m sure there are plenty of others who do, too. terested” option or scroll away. You’ll be doing fault-finding content — especially in regard to My point is that we need to strive for body pos- your future self a great favor by avoiding inhib- people’s looks. itivity because every facial feature is beautiful in itors to your mental health right now. We’re the “This filter lets you know if you have full lips its own way. We need to uplift each other, cele- first person we can count on to love and appreciate or not.” brate each other’s uniqueness, and spread positive ourselves. “You’re attractive if you have eight to 10 teeth messages — not comparison tests. Makhun is a member of showing when you smile.” TikTok beauty standards sort people into groups the Class of 2023. “Apparently, this filter shows how good your eyebrows look.” “If your forehead, nose, and lower mouth are of the same length, then you have a perfect face.” “Use this effect to adjust the size of your features.” Often paired with catchy background music, these comparison trends easily catch your atten- tion. With the strategic hashtag #fyp, creators ensure that these videos appear on your “for you page” (fyp) and compel you to watch them. Human nature imbues within us a conformist tendency to follow the crowd to gain approval. As a result, we look at the huge number of views on these posts and think following these trends is the right thing to do. So we hurriedly download the fil- ters or rush to the mirror to fake the biggest smile we can muster and curiously count our teeth. Curiosity kills the cat. Likewise, the inclination to compare our looks kills our confidence. We see all the likes on these videos, and the bandwagon effect compels us to like them too. TikTok’s algorithm then believes this is the type of video we enjoy and will bombard our fyp with more, leading us down a bottomless pit of toxic beauty standards. This reflects in our personal lives as we grow overly conscious of ourselves in public and scan JANE PRITCHARD / ILLUSTRATIONS EDITOR the faces around us to check who has the most MONDAY, MARCH 8, 2021 / OPINIONS campustimes.org / PAGE 7 How ‘Orange Is the New Black’ Fails Female Prisoners estimation, one-third of the women answered that Not to mention the children who’ve been sexual- question with “Yes.” ly abused, and the women who’ve been sterilized I can’t tell you whether those statistics are accu- against their will, in detention camps. Rape isn’t rate. I can only tell you what I know. a joke, and you’d expect a show that fancies itself What I know is that during the three days I was feminist to know that. in jail, I made five close friends. Within those three Not to mention, female violence is inextricable days, one of those friends confessed to me that her from long-term patterns of male abuse. Experts in- arresting officer had raped her. dicate that between 40-80% of women in prison for This is jail, in real life. Women’s bodies are still murder killed their abusers. Widespread statistics don’t exist, but a survey of New York’s Bedford ‘This is jail, in real life. Women’s Hills Correctional Facility identified 80% of the RACHEL KAMATA / ILLUSTRATIONS STAFF bodies are still objects of titillation or female inmates as having “a childhood history of By Ari Wolf physical and sexual abuse,” and 90% as having ex- STAFF WRITER scorn to the men around us.’ perienced physical or sexual assault.

objects of titillation or scorn to the men around us. ‘Violence against women and girls never thought I’d have to say this, but here And this was only county jail. Jail isn’t like pris- isn’t funny, it’s a tragedy.’ goes: Violence against women and girls isn’t on. Jail is by nature temporary. I have some idea funny, it’s a tragedy. of what women in prison go through, but I don’t I started watching “Orange Is the New Black” know. No one can know unless they’ve been there. over winter break. I’d heard such good things But what the rest of us do know is that the per- Female prisoners aren’t the empowered, angry, — about the show’s feminism, its portrayal of centage of female inmates who report being raped hostile agents of violence represented in “Orange Black women, its willingness to include women or sexually abused is very far above zero. We also Is the New Black.” Female prisoners are survivors who don’t have the dimensions of a model. I was know that rape is a vastly underreported crime. of abuse that, due to poverty, racism, and cycli- curious. For some reason, “Orange Is the New Black” felt cal oppression, they lack the resources to recover I was curious for more reasons than that, though. the need to write a prison inmate who gets preg- from. I was in jail myself for several days, once. I stole nant through consensual sex with a guard. She lat- We are a civilized nation, ostensibly. We don’t, $10 worth of food because I was starving. I missed er tries to manipulate a different guard into having however, treat female trauma survivors with civili- my court date because I had no car or even money sex with her, so she can accuse him of rape and ty. We call them “Crazy Eyes” or insist we’re afraid for bus fare, or a cell phone to set an alarm for blame her pregnancy on him to avoid getting her of them, as main character Piper does in “Orange my 8 a.m. appointment. The court issued a bench lover in trouble. Is the New Black.” We treat them as though their warrant, and like so many others, I was swept into Given that this is a show, this entire situation is pain is a disease, a contagious one. We throw them a system fueled by forces that had no real concern played for laughs. The guy this woman tricks is a away. for a 20-year-old disabled woman with no idea jerk, so who cares what happens to him? She and I’m one of them. I don’t know if you’ll take my how to navigate the world safely. her lover are “in love.” She can’t get him in trou- word for it, but please. Don’t throw us away. The nurse who checked me in asked me wheth- ble (with the pregnancy he caused), right? Wolf is a graduate student er I’d been raped by my arresting officer. I told Meanwhile, the real-life counterpart to this at the College of Arts & Sciences. her I hadn’t been, and asked why she would ask fictional situation remains unacknowledged. me something like that. She told me that, in her Women are being sexually exploited in prison. Literally, Defund UHS By Hawraa Ahmed STAFF WRITER

f the University ever needed to make budget cuts, UHS is where I’d cut first and most. A close second is the introductory physics labs, aboutI which I have nothing kind to say. But we’ll save that discussion for another day. UHS is the bane of my existence. I shiver at the sight of it when I walk each weekend from the Residential Quad to my precious Hillside. Just seeing that useless brick and concrete establish- ment makes my eyes bleed. It almost makes Sue B. a bearable place to be in — roaches, rats, and all. You might be wondering why I wouldn’t think twice to sell the entire establishment and related assets for a 6’’ tuna sub from Rocky’s. UHS manages to stick its grimy hands into ev- erything and absolutely ruin it — I’m specifically referring to their “random” surveillance testing op- eration. Why anyone would let UHS run anything is beyond me; I wouldn’t trust them to pour piss out of a boot if the instructions were on the heel. I’ve spoken to students that have never been sur- veillance tested. They never received the urgent email that was supposed to inform them of their selection for required and random surveillance ABBY STRUGGER / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER testing at the GAC, while others have been called The University Health Service Building on the River Campus sits behind Rush Rhees and serves as the center for undergraduate health. to be tested a total of six or even seven times over the course of this school year, including testing it really should be implemented more effectively For the UHS loyalists — who are far and few upon arrival and departure. We’re not even half- and with more behind-the-scenes organization. It between — next time you wake up with a sore way through the second semester. shouldn’t be that some students are never tested throat or a painful migraine, make the most out of Once, I even received a scathing email from while others are repeatedly tested, to the point of your next stroll to the desolate wasteland that is the University that said I’d never been tested for excess. At the end of the day, I have classes to at- the First-Year Hill. After you walk through UHS’s COVID-19 and that “Failure to have testing com- tend, assignments to work on, and a job to go to. I gleaming silver doors and sit in that bland waiting pleted by a [certain time] could result in deactiva- don’t need UHS derailing my schedule and “ran- room, savor the Dum-Dum the nurse gives you to tion of your ID card.” By this point, I’d already domly” calling upon me, the same student, every ease you of your ailments. had multiple tests on file with the University, one time they need to meet their student testing quota. Suck on that root beer-flavored, linty Dum-Dum of them taken the day before I received that email. UHS had been the butt of plenty of jokes and lolly. If you’re good, you might get a pat on the Let me clarify: I am all for student testing, and complaints by students even before the COVID-19 head. If you’re extra special, they might give you I’m aware that UHS has been able to test more pandemic started. And now, as a result of their a follow-up gumdrop or a broken candy cane that students this semester, after adopting the Rapid complete inability to handle testing during this expired a year ago. Suck on it while you look at Antigen Testing kits. I’m all about the Dr. Chatbot global emergency, I think it’s time that we care- your next bill from the University and see if it business and the rewards. I’m a big supporter of fully re-evaluate UHS’s usefulness, necessity, and makes you feel ever better. testing students upon arrival to campus and test- contributions to the student body. My stance is Ahmed is a member of ing them again before they leave. I’m also a huge pretty clear: We need to have a more efficient and the Class of 2022. proponent of surveillance testing in general, but more organized surveillance strategy. MONDAY, MARCH 8, 2021 campustimes.org/PAGE 8 CULTURE Corning Museum of Glass Worth the 99 Mile Trek By Ethan Busch PUBLISHER The Corning Museum of Glass is probably the biggest bottles, then mosaics, and eventually masterful works of attraction to see in the big town with the same name, lo- Rome. You leave Italy to travel the world, seeing works cated just 100 miles north of the Pennsylvania border. from a variety of cultures before returning to the height Fortunately for me, the museum is exactly 99 miles of the Italian Renaissance, with the works of Venetian away from campus, so I could go without exiting the 100 glassmakers. The historical section of the museum does a mile travel radius allowed by the school. wonderful job walking you through not just the develop- From the outside, the museum is both striking and un- ment of the craft of glassworking but also the ways that assuming. A white box with straight corners faces rows craft reflects cultural and political trends. of nearly identical houses, reminiscent of the drawings of houses I made in kindergarten. The museum is the im- ‘If you aren’t particularly interested in age of modern architecture with clean lines, large nega- the glass itself, but you do enjoy museum tive spaces, and huge windows. You enter through glass architecture, history, or contemporary doors, and after undergoing a temperature check and picking up your timed tickets, you finally enter the con- art, then the Corning Museum of Glass is temporary art exhibit. a great place to see all three.’ This part of the museum was fantastic and likely would have been enjoyable even to those who don’t particular- Ethan Busch/Publisher After the Renaissance, you begin to see more and ly enjoy contemporary art. White walls carve the space a few minutes. It was remarkable how practiced their more contemporary work. More modern Finnish artists, up fluidly with gentle curves, and skylights allow the sun movements were individually and as a team. With only Steuben glass, the history of industrial glassmaking, and to illuminate the glass on display. A bowl of fruit, each a handful of maneuvers, a lump of molten glass became more. They start to blend together as the modern world one bigger than my (admittedly large) head, rests on the beautiful glasswork. allows for advancements, and creativity abounds. ground. Freeform, winding, flowing pieces of glass com- Next, a bridge carried me to a section that seemed like it A museum of glass certainly isn’t for everyone. If you bine at just the right angle to suggest a shape. Many of was designed to give further demonstrations of the mod- aren’t particularly interested in the glass itself, but you the exhibits play with light, changing color from different ern history and processes of glassmaking. Unfortunately, do enjoy museum architecture, history, or contemporary angles, or creating the effect of a foggy morning. A partic- this section was largely closed down, as many of the art, then the Corning Museum of Glass is a great place ular highlight: Nocturne 5 by Karen LaMonte, a piece fea- demonstrations and interactive exhibits couldn’t be op- to see all three. If any of this sounds appealing to you, turing a life size black dress, which felt almost like it was erated safely during COVID-19. and you don’t mind driving an hour and a half, it’s really made of fabric wrapped around a turning figure. The largest exhibit was the best. Starting with ancient certainly worth a day trip. Just off of this area was the demonstration room. Here, Egypt, the exhibit is a circular tunnel that takes you Busch is a member of two women worked in tandem to blow a glass vase in only through the history of glassmaking. First, simple perfume the Class of 2023

CT EATS Good Luck Affording the Entire Menu at Good Luck October, that might have been the most expensive al- cohol to ever enter my temple of a body. Sitting at the table with us was Steph, Emma’s roommate and Good Luck bartender, who had drink recommendations aplenty. I tried the Kathy, a froo-froo pink drink made of grapefruit liqueur, St. Germain elderflower liqueur, and lemon juice. Added to that is your choice of vodka, gin, or tequila. If you’re looking for a punch, go with gin or tequila. Looking for a soft, sippable drink, I went with the least punchy option, the vodka. It was won- derfully inoffensive, and went down like a refreshing, slightly flowery glass of juice. In total, our table of six ordered the chicory salad, the potato salad, two burgers, the Sicilian pizza, and an Coutesty of Emma Geisler extra order of fries for good measure, all to share. We Hailie Higgins/Editor-in-Chief were also given a second free margherita pizza, likely square, six-slice behemoth. It was the thickest, lightest Good Luck’s 1lb burger was so good, we got it twice! Once with a thanks to any of Emma and Steph’s friends who were crust I’ve ever eaten; the chefs in the backroom must salad, once with (killer) fries. working that evening. have employed some molecular gastronomy tactics to achieve the crispy, cloudlike, not-chewy-at-all crust. By Hailie Higgins To keep this article a reasonable length, I won’t go EDITOR-IN-CHIEF into detail about everything I tried, but just know that if For those that don’t know, molecular gastronomy is I were to die tomorrow, I’d have any one of these items the food science subgenre that gives you smoking mar- as my last meal. Yes, even (especially) the crispy al- tinis cooled to -320 degrees Fahrenheit by liquid ni- most-shoestring french fries, which came with a house- trogen. Good Luck’s Sicillian pizza defied science that Have you ever wanted to spend $28 on a cheeseburg- made sauce of ketchup, mayonnaise, and brandy. much with its ethereal crunch. Going back to that giant er and fries? Boy oh boy, do I have the place for you. Well, everything except the 10-inch personal mar- burger, the magical chefs also managed to merge both Clickbait-y introduction aside, Good Luck’s massive, gherita pizza, which was aggressively average. It was a crispy and fluffy textures in their burger bun. It was four-person platter is worth every penny. I consider good, fancy pie, with chunks of mozzarella and a sexy toasted to buttery perfection and held between its gold- myself somewhat of a burger connoisseur, and the one sauce-to-crust ratio, but only by “locations outside of en gates an unbelievably juicy, savory piece of meat. I tried last Wednesday knocked my socks off, took my New York City” standards. To wrap up our birthday meal, we took a peek at the breath away, and appeared in my dreams that evening. I’d especially like to highlight the Sicillian pizza, a dessert menu. Now, I’m a firm believer that everyone To celebrate my roommate turning 22, my house- has two stomachs: the normal one that fills up with nor- mates and I zipped over to the Neighborhood of the mal food, and a second, smaller dessert stomach that Arts to try out Good Luck: a hip, upscale-yet-industrial can only be satiated by cookies, cakes, and ice creams. bar and restaurant that serves giant gourmet versions We ordered two chocolate cakes that had a cheesecake of American classics, designed to share with the whole center and came in a ramekin with a dollop of vanilla table. This is not the place for defensive eaters, as ev- ice cream. erything on the menu is way too big (and, by exten- Like most nice restaurants, the dessert’s always both sion, way too expensive) for any one person to tackle. too small to share and the most overpriced thing in Normally, they’re open for dinner until 11 p.m., and comparison to the rest of the menu. This cake didn’t do serve drinks until 2 a.m. it for me. The exterior was a little too dry and almost There, we met up with Good Luck employee and good crumbly, and the center was a little too liquidy and a friend of my roommate, Emma, who got us a seat at lot too rich. the nicest table, a free bottle of champagne, and a piz- But again, I cannot emphasize how every other aspect za on the house. Although I was admittedly wined and of my gustatory experience blew me away. Even with dined more than the average customer due to my con- the meal-sharing, Good Luck is a little out of the college nections with a staff member, I can say with confidence kid’s budget. But if you’re looking to splurge or impress that I’d go back a hundred times for the quality of my your marriage pact match, consider taking a drive. It’s meal alone. only a block away from the Memorial Arts Gallery. Date To kick the evening off, our server, Alex, gave usa night, anyone? free bottle of Le Couture Prosecco, which was on the Higgins is a member of menu for $40. As a college kid who turned 21 back in Hailie Higgins/Editor-in-Chief the Class of 2022 MONDAY, MARCH 8, 2021 campustimes.org/PAGE 9 Pressing Play in a World on Pause By Mahnoor Raza rooms, frontline workers on break, and everyone in CONTRIBUTING WRITER between. The success that “Blinding Lights” experienced, With the rest of the world at a halt this past year, however, extended far beyond TikTok; it became the many of us college-aged kids craved an escape or first song to go No. 1 during the pandemic. In fact, turned to nostalgia for comfort. 2020 was a massive year for pop — perhaps the big- In particular, music has enabled us to wallow in our gest since 2014 — with releases like The Weeknd’s emotions and connect with ourselves and others who multi-platinum “After Hours,” Beyonce’s visual al- were feeling the same way. For these reasons, the no- bum “Black is King,” Dua Lipa’s disco-revival re- ticeable increase in our consumption and sharing of cord “Future Nostalgia,” Chloe x Halle’s Grammy- music comes as no surprise. nominated “Ungodly Hour,” and Ariana Grande’s Senior Zophia Dadlez, a DJ for student radio sta- chart- topping “Positions” dominating the music tion WRUR-FM, noted that music is an inherently landscape. “emotional experience” that people are able to share Bridget Tokiwa/Illustrations Editor ‘Music has served as a testament to with their friends easily, making it a “jumping point” and recording in her room, and UR alumna Hannah for social connection. Jocelyn mixing and producing the tracks. The deeply the incredible uniting power of online ‘In particular, music has enabled us personal experience of sharing lyrics, instrumental communities. It’s helped us stay afloat audio clips, and the odd vocals via voice memo helped through the turmoil of our time...’ to wallow in our emotions and connect her form lifelong friendships even when everything with ourselves and others who were was shut down during her senior year. feeling the same way.’ WRUR is only one example of how the power of art The year also inspired a number of more under- persisted during the pandemic; music brought peo- stated pandemic albums, the most notable of which ple together in unprecedented ways, be it neighbors included Taylor’s Swift’s “folklore” and “evermore,” Dadlez hosts her own show “Full Moon in Leo” ev- singing with each other from across their balconies released within six months of each other. All oth- ery week on The Sting, WRUR’s online radio station. and through their windows, policemen playing gui- er spontaneous pandemic-time releases echoed this The show gives her a platform to share the songs tar in the streets of Spain, or the Internet unifying to sentiment, be it Troye Sivan’s captivation with bore- she’s been enjoying, talk about astrology, and (vir- scorn the delusional, tone-deaf debacle that was ce- dom and being alone in “In a Dream,” Charli XCX’s tually) spend time with an occasional co-host, such lebrities singing “Imagine” from the comfort of their examination of emotional extremes in “How I’m as her sister. She became involved with WRUR a few mansions, barely a week into quarantine. As festi- Feeling Now,” or Phoebe Bridger’s raw yet satirical weeks after the pandemic struck. In a time where it vals were cancelled and tour dates postponed, artists songwriting that addressed overcoming trauma in was increasingly difficult for students to initiate and and fans shifted to livestreams, ranging from virtual “Punisher.” Music has served as a testament to the maintain relationships, Dadlez found that her social concerts such as BTS’s record-breaking event Bang incredible uniting power of online communities. It’s life had actually improved. This resulted from the Bang Con and Dua Lipa’s Studio 2054, to free online helped us stay afloat through the turmoil of our time; sense of community she discovered at the radio sta- events such as Sennheiser’s #Don’tStopTheMusic, if anything, the past year has been a resounding con- tion, which has an active Discord server and hosts Global Citizen’s Together at Home series, and various firmation of humanity’s capacity to persevere, our Zoom meetings for members every weekend, where Instagram lives. tendency to draw from our individual and collective students share their favorite music. Slowly, as TikTok creeped its way into our scroll- experiences, and our unbelievable commitment to It was also through WRUR that Dadlez met her cur- ing routines, music such as “Blinding Lights” by The finding ways to foster a sense of community, even in rent housemate, as well as two of her closest friends, Weeknd and “Say So” by Doja Cat began to fuel viral an era as unprecedented as this. one of whom produced her phenomenal 2020 EP, dance challenges. These “sounds,” as they are known Raza is a member of “Night Plow Route.” The two spent the summer on the app, formed the backdrop for performances the Class of 2024 sending files back and forth, with Dadlez writing that became sources of respite for bored teens in their WandaVision (Nearly) Knocks it Out of the Park By Melanie Earle FEATURES EDITOR “WandaVision” was not supposed to be the first to 2000s, but it works. In fact, that’s what makes does an amazing job at displaying the grief, but Marvel Cinematic Universe Disney+ debut. But due “WandaVision” soar. doesn’t do much to put the cap back on the bottle. to COVID-19, the show became the historical first The contradiction from the easygoing mood of sit- My heart strings were forcibly tugged at, and some release, setting a grand stage for what’s to come. coms creates a sharp contrast between the dramat- episodes almost had me sobbing before my 9 a.m. It’s a brilliant step forward for the Marvel ic pauses of “WandaVision.” The too-cheesy sitcom lecture, but I will give “WandaVision” the benefit of Cinematic Universe (MCU), showing that the MCU inspiration also creates an unsettling feeling as the the doubt that Wanda’s healing is a continuing sto- is finally settling into the rich history of the comic viewer waits for the other shoe to drop. ry. Despite this, the show might not get a pass on books and putting out some of the best television in Olsen delivers a stunning performance, and its lack of attention to the emotional damage that a while on the table. without her, the ship would fall apart. Olsen has a Wanda inflicted on her surroundings, unintentional ‘With the exception of the final blast jumping through the decades and yucking it or otherwise. up with Bettany on the screen, but blink and she’s “WandaVision” is almost a slam dunk. The only episode, “WandaVision” steps out of suddenly a person who’s only ever known loss and thing holding it back is the pacing, and the finale. the generic MCU formula and isn’t pain. Olsen’s destined for award season thanks to The first two episodes of “WandaVision” are fun, afraid to get a little crazy — which “WandaVision.” but a little too slow. My disappointment in the final Bettany’s Vision is the viewer’s partner through- episode is that after managing to avoid the superhe- makes it a gas!’ out the journey. He has no clue what is going on, ro clichés for eight episodes,why give up on origi- which perfectly resonates with the viewers’ feelings. nality right before you cross the finish line? A mystery-comedy-thriller with a hint of horror, The viewer discovers the mysteries of Westville “WandaVision” focuses on the small New Jersey alongside Vision, which is a nice touch. ‘“WandaVision” is almost a slam town of Westville. Something is amiss — and by The supporting cast is stacked as well, with Nosy dunk. The only thing holding it back is amiss, I mean Westville has been sucked into a tele- Neighbor (Kathryn Hahn) and all-grown up Monica the pacing, and the finale.’ vision show. Rambeau (Teyonah Parris) shining. Both deliver “WandaVision” launches the viewer right into memorable contributions to the MCU — looking the mess with two of the MCU’s superheroes, at you, Hahn — with a surprising anthem for the There was just too much trauma dug up in an Wanda Maximoff (played by Elizabeth Olsen), and summer: “It Was Agatha All Along.” I loved the amazing penultimate episode for it to be dealt with her lover, Vision (played by Paul Bettany), star- new and unexpected trio of the MCU: Darcy Lewis, alongside some superhero fights. The secret behind ring in the leading roles of a spin-off of “The Dick Agent Jimmy Woo, and Monica Rambeau. The trio Westville is really dark and well thought out, so for it Van Dyke Show” and “I Love Lucy” (aptly named made the exposition needed for the show fun and to be mashed-together with a generic slugfest, even “WandaVision”). bearable. if they gave a stunning new look to Wanda, may or If Wanda Maximoff and Vision playing house and may not have been the best bang for Marvel’s buck. having dinner with Ms. Hart (UR alum Debra Jo ‘I have to say that the message behind Despite those slight shortcomings, “WandaVision” Rupp) and her husband isn’t an indicator that some- “WandaVision” doesn’t exactly hit the is spectacular and builds excitement for what’s thing weird’s going on, then the fact that Vision died target. It’s an interesting take on grief, next for the MCU. “WandaVision” delivers a cap- in “Avengers: Infinity War” should alert the viewer tivating story and showcases an excellent cast. to pay closer attention. but can be better.’ “WandaVision” makes strides for what the superhe- With the exception of the final episode, ro genre can be and is a touching reflection on the “WandaVision” steps out of the generic MCU for- I have to say that the message behind American sitcom. mula and isn’t afraid to get a little crazy — which “WandaVision” doesn’t exactly hit the target. It’s So long, darling. Until we say hello again, MCU makes it a gas! The refreshing format allows Olsen an interesting take on grief, but can be better. (which will be this Friday, with the debut of “The and Bettany to excel. “WandaVision” has two characters who’ve recently Falcon and The Winter Soldier”). “WandaVision” is an exploration of grief and trau- suffered a loss in their life through an extraordinary Earle is a member of ma, which is a strange pairing for a show that takes circumstance, but only one of them has the power the Class of 2023 a strong influence from sitcoms from the 1960s that can bring back their loved ones. “WandaVision” MONDAY, MARCH 8, 2021 campustimes.org / PAGE 10 HUMOR How to Make Friends During a Pandemic By Brianna Lindsey STAFF WRITER

In these unprecedented, never-before-seen, new, foreign, unexplored times of quarantine, it’s more important than ever to remember that humans are social creatures. This means this pandemic is not only interferi ng with every socially-constructed concept of our society, it’s interfering with our basic evolutionary programming! With that being said, it’s still completely, total- ly, 100% possible, so here are 10 ways to make friends during a pandemic (Hint: #4 will SHOCK you):

1. Stalking Close subject surveillance The time the world has spent in quarantine has seen many more social changes beyond those di- rectly caused by the pandemic. What’s one more? The “law” calls it stalking, but rebranding fixes everything because of very reasonable reasons but BRIDGET TOWIKA / ILLUSTRATIONS EDITOR mostly because we say so; therefore, pick your future friend, and follow their every move. Learn and make polite smalltalk whilst considering the #6 sound too easy? Up for more of a challenge? their habits, their preferences, their routines, their safety of both of you, friendship could, just maybe, Why not do away with this whole pandemic com- life. Learn them, and they will be enamored with possibly, barely, begin to emerge. Like we said, be pletely? Find a cure and spread it internationally to you. They don’t know it yet, but they will. They patient, and don’t expect it to work the first time achieve total immunity with no time constraints! WILL! around. It is a little far fetched! This is a great way to get back to your normal, friend-filled life. We really don’t know why more 2. Make eye contact 5. Put notes in bottles people aren’t talking about this, but now you’re Eye contact? Is it really that easy? Sure is! Why stop at bringing back the plague? We can privy to a super special secret! Maintain sharp, intense, eye contact with someone throw it back even more. This method doubles as in the vicinity for as long as it takes them to ap- a fun DIY project. Take any bottle of your choice, 8. Sign up for Scientology newsletters proach you. Chances are they will eventually, so preferably a classic clear glass one, glass with Feeling alone? We know. That’s why you’re don’t be too impatient with this method. Everyone some browning around the bottom and enough here. Don’t worry, we can help. Our friends at the takes different lengths of time to warm up to peo- cloudiness to add to the intrigue but not enough to Church of Scientology would love to get to know ple, so don’t be afraid to step outside of your com- completely obstruct the view to the inside, and put you. Just check out their website to sign up to re- fort zone and into theirs! a cute lil’ note inside. Cast it into a body of water ceive regular communication from them in the (no Logan, the puddle on your driveway from last form of newsletters and various other methods.** 3. Get a dog night’s storm does not count, it will shatter. Yes it We’ll keep you company. We promise. Join us. Do we really have to explain this one? Pandemic, will, just — fine, do it, see what happens, I don’t This is a great way to make tons of new friends schmandemic, no internationally-threatening virus care anymore), and wait to hear back. Is your ad- and constantly meet new people, whether you want can come close to rivalling the power of a good dress on it, will it ever be found, is this pointless? to or not! boy (yes you are, such a good boy!). Purchase a Wait and find out! lifelong commitment and people will flock to you We hope these 8 ways to make friends during a with no regard for any silly regulations! 6. Impersonate a doctor pandemic (#4 will SHOCK you) have been help- How do you get people to open up to you? Make ful, and we can’t wait to see the world full of thriv- 4. Talking to people!? them feel comfortable. And since we’re all faced ing human connections once more! We know, we know. This sounds way too far with living a different sort of life, why not take fetched, but just listen. Despite the cumbersome your new life in a new direction that will allow *terms and conditions apply: the fool is you. measures that’ve been put in place, wearing a you virtually unlimited access to people and their **legally, these other methods of communication ghastly mask, washing your hands, working in personal information? Pretending to be a doctor cannot be disclosed in a publicly-available source. bed, we think it just might be possible for people guarantees you one-on-one time with new friends, It’s Okay Though. Everything Is Okay. Trust Us. to work around them. It’ll take a lot of hard work, as well as a helpfully-lowered guard. Do yourself Lindsey is a member of and this definitely isn’t for those who are looking a favor and commit dangerous impersonation, it’s the Class of 2024. for a quick fix to friendship, but if you follow the practically foolproof!* CDC guidelines, stay six feet away from people 7. Find a cure Letter to the Editor: In Defense of Rocky By Jeremy Reguer CONTRIBUTING WRITER represent all of the voices and people on campus. bringing sqURm back, but he, too, represents I didn’t care too much about Rocky before, but a school of hippies who’d rather sing kumbaya. now I’m his biggest champion. I mean, this is just When our football team takes the field, we want According to recent posts in an online forum, unacceptable. This news comes in the wake of two our opponents to be quaking in their boots at the liberals on campus are planning to cancel our be- more cancelations this past week. First Dr. Seuss, sight of Rocky- well, maybe not our football team. loved mascot, Rocky the Yellowjacket. The reason next MISTER Potato Head... what’s next? The However, when our squash team takes the field? for this is that Rocky’s a WASP: White Anglo- Washington Redskins? With all these victims of We want our opponents to be running for their Saxon Protestant, and therefore he doesn’t truly cancel culture, it feels like we’re going to have to lives in fear of The Sting. start reading them off at the end of each day like Rocky is proud. Rocky is strong. Rocky is a fight- the fallen tributes in the Hunger Games. er. Rocky climbed the stairs of the Philadelphia Rocky is a valuable, hardworking member of the Art Museum. (Wait, that wasn’t our Rocky? The community, as proven by his business endeavor whole “float like a wasp, sting like a wasp” thing on campus Rocky’s Sub Shop (and, posthumous- wasn’t us?) ly until the libs get over this whole virus thing, Ultimately, just because Rocky is a White Anglo- Lounge).. Rocky’s is the only way to obtain chips Saxon Protestant doesn’t mean that he can’t learn with just a swipe, which is great for the econo- about other cultures. I hear that he’s picking up a my. He also shows up to every sports game and GSWS cluster and he even helped students attend even did an ad campaign for the school to fight the the BLM protests last fall. He’s really turning over College Collapse Disaster that was COVID-19. a new wing from when he insulted that basketball The libs want to see URBee, a “less polarizing” referee, who definitely should have caught that and “PC enough to appeal to CS majors” mascot, foul. come back into play. Reguer is a member of There’s a reason why we got rid of the bee: the Class of 2024. he’s too cuddly. Some other students suggested BRIDGET TOWIKA / ILLUSTRATIONS EDITOR MONDAY, MARCH 8, 2021 / HUMOR campustimes.org / PAGE 11 Magic 8 Ball Juice Things to do With Your CT Stickers

By Ben Schiffman HUMOR EDITOR

Scientists at the UR Medical Center have been studying a student who claims to have gained clair- voyance. He’s predicted every SA election for the next fifty years, even naming their unborn parents — forget the student leaders themselves! He also predicted every car accident that would take place in Rochester in the next five and a half years and what would be for dessert in the Douglass dining hall every night for the next two months. So how did Noah Dafuture, a UR junior, gain his psychic powers? Dafuture attributes his success to drinking the mysterious liquid found inside a Magic 8 Ball. Intrigued by what could have pos- sibly compelled him to crack one open like a co- conut, the Campus Times reached out to Dafuture. Here’s what he had to say:

Interviewer: Noah, it’s so nice to meet you, and thank you for taking the time to sit down with CT. To start us off, I have to ask: What made you decide to drink the juice from your Magic 8 Ball?

Noah Dafuture: Well, funny story, I ran out of mouthwash and wanted to rinse. It looked kind of blue, so I thought it might have been Listerine in BRIDGET TOWIKA / ILLUSTRATIONS EDITOR there. When I took a sip, it tasted like fruit punch, By Alyssa Koh comes as a result of the application or removal of so I drank the whole thing. I wasn’t trying to gain HUMOR EDITOR any type of powers, but when I woke up the next any CT-affiliated merchandise. However, maybe the pain of ripping the adhesive from your skin morning, it was like my every thought was being In an act of shameless self-promotion, the Campus answered by the universe as either yes, no, or ask is a part of “doing things just to feel something” Times has distributed hundreds of CT stickers to after midterms. If you want a similar experience again later. I tested my powers out a little by watch- the public over the past couple weeks. As a result, ing out my window to see which students would with less pain, think about attempting to use the CT you may have seen the rectangular Campus Times stickers as mediocre waxing strips. slip on the unsalted path to Jackson Court and drop and the circular Reporter Rocky on various water all their Pit food. I got every single one right, and I bottles, instrument cases, and laptops. However, Camera blockers. learned that if you ask enough questions, eventual- here at UR, in an effort to be ever better and ever ly you know the answer to all of them. We’ve all been in Zoom rooms relentlessly for quirkier, several students have asked how to make nearly a year now, but there is always the offhand this new merch really shine. Thus, here are a cou- Interviewer: Wow, it must have been a shock to chance that a professor or peer could ask you to ple ideas on how to rep the CT brand (but not like turn on your video for a number of reasons. As a discover that the 8 Ball juice gave you powers, all those other stickerers). instead of killing you slowly and painfully! What way to prove your camera is “broken,” pasting a CT sticker over the lens temporarily could do the other types of predictions have you been able to Redact classified information. make so far? trick, so you can return to lounging in the most vi- Are you secretly working for admin under ev- sually unflattering positions possible during your eryone’s noses and need to cover up a scandal or lectures. The FBI agent in your laptop might not Noah Dafuture: Well, the other day I predict- two? Do you have any notes you need to edit in ed that Danforth dining hall would win the chili be too pleased, but sometimes you have to make order to comply with the academic honesty policy? sacrifices in order to eat in peace. cookoff. I wrote it down and sealed it in an enve- Are you too lazy (or too broke) for some Wite-Out? lope before the chilis were even cooking. When I The rectangular stickers are preferred for this op- opened the envelope to show my friends, they were Bumper stickers. tion, but the circular ones could suffice if you do If you’re lucky enough to have a car on campus, blown away. URMC got wind, and within hours, I it correctly. had probes on and in every orifice. Thing is, I don’t think about getting some mileage with your new think doctors can explain it. This is supernatural. merch! Not only are you promoting farther and Nipple coverings. wider than your standard student, but you can fi- Did you sign up for a workout at the GAC and Interviewer: Do you think anyone who drinks 8 nally cover up those Life is Good make-your-own- then completely forget to go? If you opt for the out- family bumper stickers that your parents slapped Ball Juice can gain these powers? Would you rec- doors to get in your cardio, the CT stickers could ommend people give it a go? on the back of your ride in 2008. come in clutch to battle Rochester’s cold weather. Koh is a member of Harness your inner marathon runner, and remem- the Class of 2024. Noah Dafuture: I can’t be sure. I tried to give ber: CT is not responsible for any bodily harm that some to the mice that visit me in my dorm, but they all died after drinking it. I can’t be certain whether I was just lucky, or if those things really can predict the future, and I absorbed its powers. It would be a good chaser, though. It’s very sweet.

Dafuture is scheduled to continue testing at Strong Memorial Hospital and is expected to be visited by President Biden within the next week. He has already been publicly banned by all casinos in the area, and Area 51 has contacted him for an interview. We hope to follow up with Dafuture and Write welcome him to the team, so we can report on news in advance. Schiffman is a member of for the the Class of 2023. Campus Times!

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BRIDGET TOWIKA / ILLUSTRATIONS EDITOR MONDAY, MARCH 8, 2021 campustimes.org / PAGE 12 SPORTS The ’Jackets are Back & Ready to Attack

Sophomore Joseph Varghese, Senior Eileen Bequetteon, and First-year Cole Siewert, practice on the track indoor track at the Goergen Athletic Center. COURTESY OF BANKRUPT PHOTOGRAPHER

By Natalie Fullerman training for such a long period of time now without educational experience; that hasn’t changed,” said CONTRIBUTING WRITER a chance to compete.” Flockerzi. Seeing upcoming basketball games and track All of the players and coaches expressed grati- UR’s varsity Yellowjackets have enjoyed a tri- meets on the calendar has boosted morale and giv- tude to UR and the trainers, medical staff, coaches, umphant return to competition. Beginning in late en the teams goals. The officially sanctioned com- athletes, and general student population for every- February, many teams — including track and field petitions resulted in increased motivation and in- thing they’ve done to keep athletics running and and men’s basketball — were given clearance by tensity and breaks in redundant student life cycles. healthy despite the pandemic. the University to begin modified versions of their The seasons’ beginnings have improved athletes’ “We have students that I think are really respon- typical seasons. mental and physical health and, as Flockerzi said, sible and mature and [who] understand the circum- I recently had the pleasure of speaking with “You can kinda just see the glimmer in their eyes stances,” Albert said. several coaches and students on their experiences and the excitement at just kind of reclaiming some Like the rest of the UR community, the student with starting back up. This past week, I spoke with kind of normalcy.” athletes must complete Dr. Chatbot and follow Coach Luke Flockerzi and seniors Ryan Algier, mask protocol. Added safety measures include Kailan Lee, and Trent Noordsij from the basketball ‘Albert echoed this positive outlook, limited locker room capacities, extra COVID-19 team, as well as Coach Sam Albert ’01, the direc- describing benefits his team has gained testing, lower bus densities, athlete-specific dai- tor of the track and field and cross country teams. from the disruption of normalcy.’ ly health checks, and following the NCAA DIII Despite the obvious hardships, the coaches and guidelines for only facing opponent teams that students highlighted some benefits of their nontra- have tested their members at least three times per ditional seasons. Algier missed his team’s camaraderie most week. For the basketball team, they got the green light during the time off. But he was also grateful for Keeping in line with New York state’s travel to compete at a time when they would typically any opportunity to continue playing, saying that guidance,UR’s restrictions on visitors to campus, be nearing a season’s end. The extended practice “to be able to play this year is rewarding in its own and travel outside of a 100 mile radius, the teams period meant lots of individualized skill attention, way.” cannot hold home competitions, and competitors said Flockerzi, as well as an increase in the level Noordsij shared his sentiment: “When I have the are located closer to campus than normal. The of competitiveness in day-to-day drills, said Algier most fun on the court is when all five guys are basketball team is calling downtown Rochester’s and Noordsij. The coaches initiated three-on-three really clicking, and we’re executing the stuff we Blue Cross Arena “home” for this season and has play and methods of tracking shooting numbers for work on in practice, and everything is going in our faced Yeshiva, Bryant & Stratton, and Nazareth the players to help them maintain their motivation direction; moments like that is when I get the most thus far. and competitive spirit. excited playing games” — a feeling that remains Albert echoed this positive outlook, describing the same this season. ‘UR’s varsity Yellowjackets have benefits his team has gained from the disruption Algier and Noordsij will be utilizing their fifth enjoyed a triumphant return to of normalcy. He looks forward to the increase in years of NCAA eligibility in 2021-2022 as Take 5 small-scale meets this year, such as duals and tri- Scholars at UR, but this season is Lee’s last. He competition.’ angulars, something that he feels has been lost in expressed an immense amount of gratitude and ex- recent years in favor of larger events. citement in getting to compete for a final round, Track and field traveled to Nazareth for an in- Throughout the past year, the track and cross and considered it a chance to “reap the rewards” of door triangular meet Saturday, Feb. 27, and plans country teams connected with other collegiate pro- UR’s caution and COVID-19 protocals in the fall. to compete there once more before proceeding to grams in a creative way: They set up courses at UR “I definitely feel really fortunate to be able to their outdoor season in the Liberty League, which for their athletes to run and then recorded times have these final moments on the court,” said Lee. just gave the go-ahead to begin scheduling spring to compare and score with their opponents, sim- All five men on the team shared the sentiment conference meets. ulating races.Albert said that athletes were enthu- that practices this semester have felt very similar Stay tuned to watch these teams’ progressions as siastic about finally being able to have their first to those of years past. Both Coaches expressed a they optimistically move forward. official meet this winter. sense of commitment to their missions to improve Fullerman is a member of “From the conversations that I had with most student athletes’ college experiences. “We want the Class of 2024. of our athletes, I think it was more excitement our players to have a positive experience through than nerves,” he said. “They’ve been working and athletics and have it be an additive element to their